Ace Your Interviews: Preparation Guide
Perhaps the most intimidating aspects of job searching is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking the approval and support of others particularly from prospective employers. Although talking about oneself may come naturally to some people however, many are nervous about being asked questions about their professional or previous accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions about their personal life Interviews have become among the more nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the scenario.
Interviews are a crucial means for the candidate to show that their competencies, achievements, and potentials. It’s been a while since you’ve made it through the first step and your resume has made it through ATS scanners and getting a callback. The chance to show and elaborate on your resume, experience, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial step to the front when you convince the interviewer that you’re the right candidate this increases your chances of passing to the next step in the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews even if you’re having doubts about speaking about your achievements. It is important to practice and, fortunately, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The secret to successful interviews is preparation. Here are some suggestions you can apply to boost your chances at nailing that interview and impressing prospective employers:
Learn to be comfortable around difficult questions
Interviewers ask challenging questions, mostly because they are trying to get information from you and information, but also since they want to help you get out of potentially contentious questions and worries. Take for example the question "Why are you resigning from your current position?"
The answer may be because of managerial issues, or worries about the balance between work and life, etc. No matter the answer, however, the manner the way you frame the answer will indicate your capacity to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your answer with the greatest objectivity possible. This includes removing emotional responses like responses that are based solely on feelings or emotions that are not supported by evidence.
Other questions to prepare for include "What motivated you to apply for this job?", "Why should we choose your services?", or trick questions like "Why do we not hire you?" The key is to not lose composure and organise your thoughts carefully.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and follow up with a short reason or summary as to the reasons you responded in a certain manner. Add examples or further elaborate. After you’ve clarified your points thoroughly the topic, return to the previous section.
Also, if required to explain your participation in a particular project or task and you are required to describe your involvement, you could apply to describe your involvement in a project or task, you can use the STAR Method, which is typically used to respond on selection criteria. When using STAR, you must state an scenario,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the result.
It’s all in the body language
Being natural in a stressful environment can be a daunting task However, you can try to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a trusted person to ask questions and note your mannerisms. Are you fidgeting or shifting about with anxiety? Do you appear intimidating, stiff, defensive, or closed off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Do your facial expressions reflect your message you’re trying to convey? Do you display sincerity, authenticity and genuine interest?
Think about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Before the interview, ensure that you read the description of the position. In the event that you’ve read the description and applied the roles and duties listed therein to modify and customise your resume as well as other selection documents It is essential to think about the job description in order to accurately prepare yourself for interviewers. Be upfront and honest on your strength and weakness. Being realistic regarding your strengths will allow the interviewer to note your selling points as a potential customer. However, showing your determination to work on your weaknesses will be just as significant.
Prepare questions
Another aspect to consider in the interview is to show genuine interest in the role and in the business. The best person to approach questions is your interviewer. If you noticed something interesting from the job descriptions, or if you’ve got any questions that have not been answered through their FAQ or guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or in their general hiring page about section), raise these after the interview, after your interviewer invites you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer are:
"How can I be an ideal candidate for the job, if I am given the opportunity to work with you and your colleagues?"
"Does the company have any major projects in the pipeline currently"
"What are the potential opportunities to further develop and learn?"
Know your salary expectations
Other benefits and packages for salary are usually advertised alongside the position (or within a set of options if applying through SEEK). However, interviewers may still ask you how much you are expecting. One important tip is to give a range of where you would like your salary to be, rather than providing an exact or fixed number. Keep your range tight instead of giving an expansive margin. For example, if you think you will earn $75,000 in a year, a sensible choice would be anything from the $73,000 to $80,000 range, or anyplace within the $10,000 range. Be mindful of other perks and benefits too and think about these when you think about your salary goals.
The preparation steps you have in your purse is important to equip yourself with the readiness to face the toughest questions. Be confident, be self-assured, and be bold.
To assist with recruitment-related documents and certificates, as well as for the preparation for your interview, reach out to Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants can help you through your preparatory stages. Contact us today for the free quotation or to call us directly to speak to one of our consultants on 1300 648 974.
